Although IQ literally stands for 'intelligence quotient', it is hardly a measure of 'actual' intelligence.
The HSC requires both intelligence and hard work. Anyone who fails* the HSC is either stupid or lazy or both. Harsh terms, perhaps, but true nonetheless.
How would you define intelligence anyway? Students who perform well in exams are usually thought to be intelligent. Does this mean performing well in exams 'causes' intelligence? Or was the intelligence already there and resulted in the student performing well? If the student doesn't perform so well at a later date, does he or she 'lose' that intelligence?
To be honest, the link between intelligence and academic performance seems tentative at best. Correlation is not causation. Students who perform well are considered to be intelligent. Students who do not perform well are not considered to be intelligent. Does that mean intelligence induces good performance? No.
Hrmm it's 2am and I've lost my train of thought. I don't really know what I was trying to say.
Obviously smart students are going to do well. But what makes someone smart, or intelligent? Students who work hard could perform well and 'feign' intelligence.
Nope, I've lost it. Going to bed, I might rewrite this post tomorrow if I remember.
*'fails' as used here is a subjective term solely implying a low level of performance.